Gargraves layout help

Well I guess the first thing to assume is that you want / need two crossovers connecting the two loops, one left and one right. I would not recommend the use of the double crossover unit for this application, even though it is a space saver.

The next issue is placement. You have about 5' of straightaway with that 10' table length, That's enough room to put both crossovers on one side. the other option would be to put them on opposite sides. You'll have to decide if and how many tracks you'll want going into the middle of the inner loop, so you can leave room for those switches. 

I'm not a big fan of layout software. I just use paper and pencil. I find it easier to create what I want. Though, the software does allow you to do some interesting stuff, and makes pretty pictures. The trick is describing your idea to the computer. That's what I find tedious.   

Not sure what you mean by "would like to run some bigger things", but keep in mind almost all of the articulated steam engines require a minimum diameter of 072, which is 6 feet.   You mention  5 x 10 ish,  adding a foot to this and having the outer loop with minimum 072 would give you the flexibility to run most anything.   When  I built a layout about 14 years ago, I decided I didn't need 072, that was a mistake,  within 2 years, I was eyeballing and wanting engines that needed the 072 track.   That layout was on a table 8 x 12.   

Adding at least one foot in both dimensions if it's possible will open a lot more options so I'd see if  6 x 11,  or 6 x 12 was possible.   Eliot is spot on with the crossover recommendation,  have a left hand and right hand on opposite sides, or possibly adjacent to each other on the same long side.   

You can try this on paper if you want, but good luck.

It barely fits a 5x10 space and requires 12 cuttings (purple). That's one drawback to GarGraves, no track smaller than 6.2", so you have to cut your own.

And here's one with the same number of cuts, but using flex track (yellow) where possible and arguably looks more elegant with fewer joints. Bending flex does require more expertise than simply cutting sectional track though.

All good points Chris. I would say that he needs a table width of about 78" for that 072 loop, because 72" is the center rail measurement. Big ideas for small spaces can be problematic. 

Nice Dave, I see you have reverse loops in there too. Could you show him crossovers on opposite sides? Thanks.

Ask and ye shall receive.

BTW, the 60°cross is Ross because GarGraves doesn't make any.

You guys are good help!

This is all great and super helpful.  Thank you.  All ideas are welcome!

Thanks Dave, you still da track plan man!  That's about the max track that will fit on the table size he originally stated.

Thanks, Elliot. He probably needs to tack some extensions on the ends to be on the safe side, but that's easy to do.

When I began my layout planning at first I did not draw a footprint of the room my layout was going to occupy with exact dimensions,  I thought my layout had to be smaller then it actually now is.  

I might suggest taking a few minutes and drawing the room, then considering walk around space figure out the VERY BIGGEST benchwork you could possible have.  That exact measurement might make a good starting point.  Also perhaps think out of the box beyond the idea of a single level on a rectangle, and perhaps spreading the layout over the entire room instead of a dedicated section of the room, if that is indeed the case.

At this point in your planning the "world is your oyster"

Cheers,

Mike